LEICESTER-Joseph J. Camarda, 74, of 22 Crestwood Road, died Saturday, February 12th in UMass Memorial Hospital-University Campus after a long struggle with heart disease. He is survived by his wife, Virginia L. “Ginger” (Johnson) Camarda, 3 sons, Michael F. and his wife, Lillian Camarda of Worcester, Peter J. Camarda of Spencer, Bruce A. and his wife, Lisa Camarda of Warren, a daughter, Linda M. wife of David Lusignan of North Brookfield, a sister, Margaret wife of Thomas DiLorenzo of St. Petersburg, FL, 7 grandchildren, Joseph and Katelyn Camarda of Worcester, Eric, James, Adrienne and Nicholas Camarda of Warren and Justin Lusignan of North Brookfield and a great-grandson. A brother Frank Camarda of Charleston, SC died in 1999.
He was born and raised in Rutland, VT the son of John and Amelia (Bricuglio) Camarda and had lived in Boston before moving to Leicester many years ago. He was a graduate of Mt. St. Joseph Academy in Rutland, VT and attended the Franklin Technical Institute in Boston. Mr. Camarda served in the Navy on the USS Phillippine Sea during the Korean War Era. He retired in 1992 as General Manager of Worcester Awning; previously he owned and operated Worcester Building Maintenance Company. Mr. Camarda was past Cub Master of Pack 123 in Leicester, past president of Leicester Little League, a past member of Toastmasters International and UNICO. He was past president and a Life Member of the Leicester Lion’s Club, Past District Governor of Massachusetts Lions District 33A. In 1982 he was elected to a 2 year term as a Director of Lions Club International, he was then appointed to the board by the President of Lions Club International in 1984-1985 and again in 1989-1990. Mr. Camarda was honored with 12 International Presidents Awards, the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, and the Lions Club International Ambassador of Goodwill Award, Lionism’s highest award. He was honored by Lions District 33A when they created the Joseph J. Camarda Fellowship Award; he was also awarded the Joseph Protano Founders Award. Joe was instrumental in promoting the Organ Donor Program in conjunction with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. Mr. Camarda and his wife Ginger traveled extensively promoting Lionism. He was known for his motivational speeches, his trademark was that his speeches were unscripted and were spoken from his heart, often extolling the feelings he was rewarded with in his involvement with Lionism and the help that he and other Lions were able to provide to those in need. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
The funeral is Tuesday, February 15th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue with a Mass at 11:00 AM in Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main Street. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours are Monday, February 14th from 4:00 until 8:00 PM in the funeral home. Please make donations to: The Lazarus Organ Donor Program, c/o Jesse Dowd, Treasurer, 18 Wesson Road, North Grafton, MA 01536, the Mass Lions Eye Research Fund, Inc., c/o William T. Murphy, Treasurer, P. O. Box 6050, New Bedford, MA 02742 or the Leicester Lions Club Park Fund, c/o Lee Zagorski, Treasurer, 204 Auburn Street, Cherry Valley, MA 01611.